Arizona recently enacted one of the most significant updates to its family law statutes in years. Effective June 23, 2026, the revised A.R.S. § 25-403.03, known as the Alec & Lydia Act, substantially changes how courts evaluate domestic violence allegations in child custody cases.
The law reflects Arizona’s public policy that domestic violence is contrary to a child’s best interests and requires courts to address these issues before determining legal decision-making and parenting time.
One of the most notable changes is the expanded definition of domestic violence. In addition to traditional acts of abuse, the statute now recognizes coercive control—a pattern of behavior designed to dominate or control another person through intimidation, isolation, financial control, threats, or psychological abuse. This recognizes that domestic violence is not always physical and that patterns of controlling behavior can also place children and families at risk.
The consequences of a domestic violence finding are also much more significant. If the court determines that a parent committed domestic violence, a statutory presumption arises that awarding legal decision-making and parenting time to that parent is contrary to the child’s best interests. Depending on the circumstances, the parent may be required to present clear and convincing evidence to overcome that presumption before the court can award unsupervised parenting time or decision-making authority.
The statute also requires judges to make far more detailed written findings explaining whether domestic violence occurred, whether the presumption was rebutted, and why any safety precautions ordered are appropriate. Attorneys should expect custody litigation involving domestic violence allegations to become more evidence-intensive and procedurally complex.
Although the law is already in effect, many questions remain unanswered. Courts will likely spend the next several years interpreting issues such as retroactive application, the scope of coercive control, evidentiary standards, and how the new law applies in cases involving allegations against both parents.
For families navigating divorce or custody disputes, these changes underscore the importance of obtaining experienced legal counsel early in the process. Proper investigation, strategic presentation of evidence, and a thorough understanding of the new statute will be critical to protecting both parental rights and the best interests of children.
If you have questions about how Arizona’s new domestic violence law may affect your custody case, the attorneys at Keist Thurston Law Firm are here to help.